Page 65 of Bodybuilders for the BBW

“You got it,” I told her.

Chapter33

Katie

“That went well.”

I didn’t even get a chance to take a breath before my sister was waving a finger around with a knowing look. It was like she could see the good food, good conversation (even though Rhett was convinced it wasn’t), and good kisses. My fingers went to my lips and that was a mistake. Mandie’s wicked grin spread wider.

“Really well.” She slung her arm around my shoulders and steered me towards the kitchen. “Did you pash a boy, Katie?”

“We are not fourteen anymore,” I replied as I shoved her off me. “No one pashes anymore.”

“You did.” She went to the fridge and pulled out a couple bottles of water, cracking one and handing it to me. “So c’mon, bitch. Spill!”

I was going to, but not in the way she thought.

“You were right.”

“Yes!” She threw her arms up as if she’d just scored a goal at the footie or something. “Hang on, what was I right about?”

“I need to do things differently,” I explained, then sucked down a mouthful of water. “Live my life differently. That’s what new year, new me really means. The old me would’ve freaked out when Rhett turned up instead of Garrett. She definitely wouldn’t have gone on a date with him.” I shook my head. “She didn’t do dates at all, but…” Her smile had dimmed a little as I stared at her. “Apparently I’m going on another date to do puppy yoga.”

“At that cute place a couple of suburbs away?” she asked, suddenly excited. “They’re amazing and the pups are so cute.”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I don’t know because I’m going to just play it by ear. Say yes rather than trying to plan for every eventuality.”

“OK, who the hell are you, and where’s my sister?” Mandie wasn’t completely convinced, I could see that, but I’d just have to prove to her that I was capable of this, just like I needed to prove it to myself. “And if you’re saying yes to things…”

“Gym?” I snorted at her suddenly hopeful expression. “Sure. I ate my body weight in pizza, so go gently on me.”

“So just an hour of free weights then?”

I groaned and went to my bedroom, pulling on my gym gear, even if I wanted to just roll into bed and relive that kiss.

Rhett surprised me.That confession was disarming enough, but that kiss? I was still floating a few feet off the floor as we walked into the gym, barely registering the blare of loud music, the clang of weights being dropped on the floor. It was the sound of scrabbling paws that broke the spell I was under, warning me that I had someone barrelling towards me.

“Bronson!”

The dog’s paws hit me so hard I was forced to stumble backwards, but I recovered quickly. He didn’t know his own damn strength, but I loved that he’d lost that haunted look. A week out of the shelter and he was slowly coming back to himself.

“Hey boy!” He snuffled me all over, furiously seeking the scent of another dog. “You smell Hoppy on me.” The dog looked up then, as if wounded I’d do him dirty like that. “He’s very cute, but not a patch on you.” His tongue lolled out in a doggy smile, right as Rhys ran over.

“Bloody dog!” He said that in this high, squeaky tone, as if he was super pleased with Bronson. “I told you… Oh.” Rhys blinked, smiled, tried to stifle that, and then just gave in, grinning as he sidled closer. “Hey, Katie. Should’ve known that it was you when Bronson took off like his arse was on fire.” He looked me over closely, making me suddenly conscious of how thin this old t-shirt was. “Did you have fun with Rhett?”

“I’m going to go and set up,” Mandie announced. “That way you can ask Katie out without interference.”

“Mandie…!” I hissed, but the bitch just sailed past, leaving me to face Rhys alone. “So Bronson is looking a lot happier.”

“He is.” Rhys moved closer. “About that date.”

The brand new Katie would’ve stood there and flirted with the big strong personal trainer, but it appeared that I was still working my way up to that.

“He’s eating well and drinking?” I asked in a little voice. Bronson panted, as if shaking his head at my feeble attempt to make this about him.

“B-boy is doing just fine.” A hand went to my chin, tilting it up until I was forced to meet his eyes. “How are you?”

I swallowed because a pat reply came and went unsaid. Something self-effacing where I quickly redirected his attention to something, someone, else.

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